Why Should We Punish Theories of Punishment

When we punish people, we re harming them. So what makes it okay for us to do that There are three main theories of punishment that answer this question in different ways. Retribution and Retributive theories say that wrongdoers simply deserve to suffer. Deterrence theories say that punishment is justified because it prevents future wrongdoing. And rehabilitation theories say that we re justified in punishing when we do it in an effort to reform the wrongdoers. Further reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Entry on Punishment : Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Punishment : Media Sources: Illustrations: (macrovector and starline) Video Clips: Music: Sound Effects: